Shopping for a “green” Christmas
With Christmas right around the corner… wait a minute. It isn’t even November yet.
But that didn’t matter to vendors selling at the Fredericton Fall Craft Show from October 4 to 6.
Vendors selling holiday and winter goods sat beside those with fall and Halloween decorations.
Along with holiday items, a number of environmentally friendly booths were present in what appears to be an increase from past years.
Booths offering bar shampoo, eco-friendly laundry detergent, and all-natural products were as many as the holiday booths.
Debbie Pugh’s company, Out of the Ashes, is one example.
“My husband is a firefighter. So, six years ago our deck swing needed a new seat,” Pugh said. “So, he knew there was fire hose in the dumpster at work, so he brought two rolls home and wove a new seat for our swing.”
And six years later, Pugh’s company Out of the Ashes offers hand-sewn recycled products out of fire hose like messenger bags, dog toys, and tote bags.
Another booth, The Green Sisters, was formed after two New Brunswick College of Craft and Design students wanted to offer eco-friendly products that are locally and sustainably made.
“It’s a little bit challenging to try to explain and educate the public at the same time,” Renata Britez, co-owner, said. “But I think we’re doing a good job.”
The Green Sisters offers products like hand-dyed kimonos out of old bedsheets, do-it-yourself scarf dye kits, and her favorite – their felted soap.
“It’s hard to tell, but I guess one of my favorites is the felted soap. It is one of the oldest ways to make soap, and also prevents waste because they are wrapped in wool and silk,” Britez said.
“The wool will help to dry the soap and keep it in shape. As you use the soap, the wool and silk will shrink. When you don’t have the soap anymore, you still have another product – which is just a small disk you can use to exfoliate your skin.”
So, whether you’re looking for baked goods, hand-made crafts, or an eco-friendlier solution, you could probably find it among the more than 100 exhibitors present.
